My wife, S, is battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. In the past three weeks, she has endured brain radiation, spinal tumor complications, immunotherapy, and, most recently, chemotherapy that left her vomiting all day with an obstruction and infection. As a family, we have felt overwhelmed – often lost, stretched thin, and left to figure things out on our own. Over the last few weeks, S’s advanced disease has left her in constant pain and non-ambulatory. Along with her two sisters, I have been doing my best to care for her at home, often purchasing equipment online just to meet her daily needs.

During a recent visit to the ER, we met nurse Tara Noto. We later learned that she rarely works that shift, but had stepped in to help. Her presence proved to be an extraordinary blessing. From the moment she entered the room, Tara made my wife’s comfort her top priority. She explained every procedure with clarity and gentleness. When nausea struck, she provided sponge sticks and ice chips to ease discomfort. And when illness required cleanup, she calmly reassured us that it was okay and not a big deal. Through it all, her kindness gave my wife dignity at her most vulnerable moment.

Tara also went beyond the bedside. She asked about our home care situation and, upon learning it was just me and her two sisters, immediately connected us with social services and explained medicare programs that could help. For the first time, we felt truly seen – not only my wife as a patient, but our family as people carrying a heavy burden.

When no inpatient room was available, and my wife was left in the cramped and noisy ER, Tara personally arranged for her to be cared for in a pre-op until a room opened. All day long, she looked after us there, meeting both her physical and emotional needs. Later, when my wife was moved upstairs, the transfer caused her significant pain. Seeing this, Tara went above and beyond to advocate that S remain in the new bed so she wouldn’t have to endure another painful move. Even after her shift ended, she checked in to make sure she was comfortable and cared for.

Tara’s blend of professional excellence, practical advocacy, and heartfelt compassion was truly extraordinary. In one of the most difficult moments of S’s cancer journey, she reminded us that we were not alone. We believe God placed her on that shift, where she does not regularly serve, to be our angel of love and compassion.